Understand addiction
What are you concerned about?
Dependence is a health condition, not a character failure. Choose what is closest to your situation and read what it actually does, what the early signs look like, and what real treatment involves.
Information for understanding, not self-diagnosis
These guides help you recognise patterns and ask better questions. Only a qualified professional can assess a person and decide on treatment.
Alcohol
The most widely used substance in India, and one where stopping suddenly can be medically dangerous.
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Tobacco and nicotine
Smoked, chewed and vaped forms all deliver nicotine, which is strongly habit-forming.
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Cannabis
Known locally as ganja, charas or bhang; regular use can affect motivation, mood and study or work.
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Opioids
Includes heroin, smack, and misuse of pharmaceutical opioids. Overdose risk is real and withdrawal needs medical support.
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Prescription medicines
Painkillers, cough syrups and other prescribed medicines can be misused, sometimes without anyone noticing.
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Sedatives
Sleeping tablets and anti-anxiety medicines. Stopping suddenly after long use can be dangerous.
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Inhalants
Correction fluid, glue, petrol and solvents — most often seen in younger and street-connected children.
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Stimulants
Amphetamine-type substances and misused stimulant medicines that speed up the nervous system.
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Cocaine
A short-acting stimulant with significant cardiac risk, usually seen in metropolitan settings in India.
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Hallucinogens
Substances that alter perception. Risk here is more psychological and situational than physical dependence.
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Polysubstance use
When more than one substance is involved, risk and treatment planning both change.
Learn moreWhat national surveys report in India
Alcohol
Alcohol was reported as the most commonly used psychoactive substance among adults in the national survey.
Source: Magnitude of Substance Use in India, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (AIIMS New Delhi) for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Survey year 2018, published 2019.
Cannabis
Cannabis was the second most commonly reported substance, including bhang and ganja or charas preparations.
Source: Magnitude of Substance Use in India, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (AIIMS New Delhi) for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Survey year 2018, published 2019.
Opioids
Opioid use — including heroin and pharmaceutical opioids — was reported at levels that the survey described as a substantial public-health concern.
Source: Magnitude of Substance Use in India, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (AIIMS New Delhi) for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Survey year 2018, published 2019.
Sedatives
Non-medical use of sedatives was reported across adult and adolescent groups.
Source: Magnitude of Substance Use in India, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (AIIMS New Delhi) for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Survey year 2018, published 2019.
Inhalants
Inhalant use was one of the few categories reported at a higher level among children and adolescents than among adults.
Source: Magnitude of Substance Use in India, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (AIIMS New Delhi) for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Survey year 2018, published 2019.
Tobacco
Tobacco use in India is tracked separately by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, which reported use in both smoked and smokeless forms among adults.
Source: Global Adult Tobacco Survey India (GATS-2), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Survey year 2016–17, published 2017.
These are national survey estimates from the years shown, not current-year figures, and they are not specific to any one district. A newer national survey has been commissioned; updated national estimates should replace older estimates when officially published.
Not sure which of these fits?
You do not need a label to take the next step. Answer a few questions, talk it through, or look at what care exists near you.